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This week, Senator Rick Scott led the fight for the Senate's passage of a critical $19.1 billion disaster relief package - 225 days after Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle. The final bill included big wins for families in Florida and Puerto Rico, including:
- Funding for the Florida Panhandle following the devastation from Hurricane Michael.
- Over $1.2 billion to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base.
- $600 million in disaster recovery funding for Puerto Rico that Senator Scott proposed in January.
- $3 billion for the USDA Office of the Secretary to cover agricultural losses stemming from 2018 and 2019 natural disasters.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Scott and his colleagues passed the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes Senator Scott’s amendment to cut off funds to the Maduro regime in Venezuela. The NDAA also provides $1.4 billion to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base, and includes $750 billion in defense spending and a 3.1% pay raise for military members – components of Senator Scott’s Fighting for Florida budget agenda.
Also this week, Senator Scott introduced the Prescription Drug Reporting Act, which will create a consumer-friendly database of prescription drug prices to empower American families to make informed healthcare choices. Additionally, Senator Scott’s bill to end abusive robocalls overwhelmingly passed the Senate. This bill takes real steps to protect Floridians and end the abusive and potentially fraudulent practice of robocalls. Senator Scott also secured a commitment from the Trump Administration to fight for $200 million in construction funding for the Everglades restoration projects in this year's budget.
Senator Scott also sponsored a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, and a bill to honor the anniversary of women's suffrage with a commemorative coin.
See more of what Senator Scott has been up to this week below.
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Senator Rick Scott released the following statement ahead of President Trump’s planned meeting with Prince Charles in the UK next month.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Prince Charles’ recent trip to Cuba is in direct conflict with Prime Minister May’s recognition of Juan Guaidó as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. The UK cannot support freedom in Venezuela while at the same time supporting Cuba - the most powerful force propping up Nicolas Maduro as he starves and kills his own people. I’m calling on European nations to unite against dictators and cut off ties with Cuba. President Trump should ask Prince Charles to end his support for Cuba and join the United States in the fight for freedom.” Read more HERE.
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El senador Rick Scott hizo la siguiente declaración en reacción a la reunión planeada entre el presidente Trump y el príncipe Carlos en el Reino Unido el próximo mes.
El senador Rick Scott dijo: "El reciente viaje del príncipe Carlos a Cuba está en conflicto con el reconocimiento de la primera ministra May de Juan Guaidó como el legítimo líder de Venezuela. El Reino Unido no puede apoyar la libertad en Venezuela y al mismo tiempo apoyar a Cuba, la fuerza más poderosa que sostiene a Nicolás Maduro mientras no alimenta y mata a su propia gente. Hago un llamado a las naciones europeas para que se unan en contra de los dictadores y corten los lazos con Cuba. El presidente Trump debería pedirle al príncipe Carlos que ponga fin a su apoyo a Cuba y se una a los Estados Unidos en la lucha por la libertad". Lea más AQUÍ.
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Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green to thank the agency for its ongoing work in response to the crisis in Venezuela. Senator Scott traveled to the Colombia-Venezuela border last month, where he visited the USAID-supported Divine Providence food kitchen in Cúcuta and met with government officials on how the United States can continue to support freedom throughout Latin America. Read more, including the full letter, HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott received a letter from the Trump Administration’s Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Russell Vought affirming their commitment to fight for $200 million in construction funding for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) in the budget. This commitment follows a letterSenator Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent in February urging President Trump to include the funding in his budget request to Congress.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I was the first Governor to put state funding towards fixing the dike at Lake Okeechobee. I’ve consistently fought for the federal government to match the state’s investment. I applaud President Trump for working with the Florida delegation to commit to fight for $200 million in federal funding for Everglades restoration projects this year. Everglades restoration is critically important to the State of Florida and enjoys broad bipartisan support in Congress. I applaud the Administration’s commitment to protecting Florida’s natural treasures for generations to come.” Read more, including the full letter, HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes Senator Scott’s amendment to cut off funds to the Maduro regime. The NDAA also provides $1.4 billion to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base, and includes $750 billion in defense spending and a 3.1% pay raise for military members – components of Senator Scott’s Fighting for Florida budget agenda.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Our military provides not only for the safety of our country, but also leads in supporting our allies and protecting freedom across the globe. I fought for $750 billion to fund our military this year, funding to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base, and a pay raise for military members in myFighting for Florida budget agenda, and I’m glad to see my colleagues agree.
“Right here in our hemisphere, we are seeing genocide at the hands of Nicolás Maduro – who continues to starve his own people. We cannot allow this to continue. Last month, I introduced theVenezuelan Contracting Restriction Act to prohibit the Department of Defense from doing business with anyone that supports the oppressive Maduro regime. I signed similar legislation into law as Governor of Florida, and I’m glad my colleagues in the Senate joined me in supporting this amendment by adding it to this year’s NDAA. We must continue to stand against the evils of the Maduro regime. I look forward to consideration by the full Senate.” Read more HERE.
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El senador Rick Scott hizo la siguiente declaración luego de que el Comité de Servicios Armados del Senado aprobara la Ley de Autorización de Defensa Nacional (NDAA) del año fiscal 2020, que incluye la enmienda del senador Scott para cortar fondos al régimen de Maduro.
El senador Rick Scott dijo: “Aquí mismo, en nuestro hemisferio, estamos presenciando un genocidio a manos de Nicolás Maduro, quien continúa permitiendo que su propio pueblo muera de hambre. No podemos permitir que esto continúe. El mes pasado, introduje la Ley de Restricción de Contratación Venezolana para prohibir que el Departamento de Defensa haga negocios con cualquier entidad que apoye al opresivo régimen de Maduro. Firmé una legislación similar como gobernador de la Florida y me alegra que mis colegas en el Senado se unieran a mí para apoyar esta enmienda agregándola al NDAA de este año fiscal. Debemos seguir oponiéndonos a la maldad del régimen de Maduro. Espero que el proyecto sea considerado por el Senado en pleno". Lea más AQUÍ.
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Senator Rick Scott applauded the Senate’s passage of the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act to combat abusive robocalls. This legislation was co-sponsored by Senator Scott.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m proud to co-sponsor the TRACED Act to protect Floridians, especially our seniors, from abusive robocalls, and I’m glad the Senate approved this bill today. It’s a concern I constantly hear from Floridians across the state. People are being inundated with abusive and potentially fraudulent robocalls. This bill takes real steps to end the practice and protect Floridians.”Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after the Senate passed the $19.1 billion disaster relief package. The final package includes funding for the Florida Panhandle following the devastation from Hurricane Michael, over $1.2 billion to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base, and the $600 million in disaster recovery funding for Puerto Rico that Senator Scott proposed in January.
Senator Rick Scott said, “I’ve been fighting since Hurricane Michael hit to get the funding Florida families and businesses need to recover and rebuild. I visited Tyndall Air Force Base multiple times since the storm and took the President to visit Tyndall so he could see the devastation firsthand. I’m glad we finally secured the billions of dollars in funding the Panhandle needs to continue recovering. And back in January, I introduced an amendment to ensure Puerto Rico has the resources they need to recover following Hurricane Maria. My first speech on the Senate floor was about my commitment to fighting for Puerto Rico. I’m glad this funding is also included.
“It took way too long, but we finally got this bill across the finish line. I’m thankful for my colleagues that worked with me to move this process forward. It’s a great day for Florida and the communities in the Panhandle that were devastated by Hurricane Michael.” Read more HERE.
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El senador Rick Scott hizo la siguiente declaración luego de que el Senado aprobara un paquete de ayuda para alivio de desastres de $19.1 mil millones que incluye $600 millones en fondos de recuperación por desastre para Puerto Rico que el senador Scott propuso en enero.
El senador Rick Scott dijo: "He estado luchando desde que el huracán Michael atravesó la Florida para obtener los fondos que la Florida y Puerto Rico necesitan para recuperarse y reconstruir. En enero, presenté una enmienda para garantizar que Puerto Rico tenga los recursos necesarios para recuperarse luego del huracán María. Mi primer discurso en el Senado fue sobre mi compromiso de luchar por Puerto Rico. Me alegra que estos fondos también estén incluidos.
"Tomó demasiado tiempo, pero finalmente conseguimos llevar el proyecto a la meta. Estoy agradecido por mis colegas que trabajaron para adelantar el proceso. Es un gran día para la Florida, las comunidades del Panhandle y Puerto Rico ". Lea más AQUÍ.
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Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and Florida’s Congressional Delegation in a letter to Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan to share concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the USSPACECOM Headquarter selection process, as well as to request more information on the decision making process. Read more, including the full letter, from Senator Rubio’s office HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott, Senator Cory Gardner and Senator Susan Collins announced the Prescription Drug Price Reporting Act to provide much-needed transparency for prescription drug prices. The Prescription Drug Price Reporting Act will create a consumer-friendly database of prescription drug prices, which will empower American families to make informed healthcare choices.
Senator Rick Scott said, “There’s no reason patients shouldn’t know exactly what their prescription drugs cost before they get to the pharmacy. Today, I’m introducing the Prescription Drug Price Reporting Act to give patients the information they need to make informed decisions for themselves and their families. Even in the hyper-partisan, dysfunctional world of Washington, D.C., creating more transparency in the healthcare system is something we must get done now to help families across our nation.” Read more HERE.
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Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for the Sun Sentinel on his America First Drug Pricing Plan which addresses the soaring costs of prescription drugs.
Excerpts below; Read the full op-ed in the Sun Sentinel HERE.
Let’s think about this for a second. Pharmaceutical companies charge low prices for prescription drugs in Canada, Europe, and Japan. At the same time, they charge American consumers significantly more. Why? Because politicians have let them for far too long.
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I recently introduced the America First Drug Pricing Plan. Here’s what it does.
Part one of my bill focuses on transparency. First, pharmacies MUST inform patients what it would cost to purchase drugs out-of-pocket instead of using their insurance and co-pay. If patients choose to pay out-of-pocket (which is often cheaper), the total cost would be applied to their deductible.
Second, insurance companies MUST inform patients of the total costs of their prescription drugs 60 days prior to open enrollment. This will allow patients to be consumers and shop around for the best deal.
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Part two of my bill may be more controversial to drug companies, but to the average American, I think it just makes sense. The America First Drug Pricing Plan would simply require that drug companies CANNOT charge American consumers more for prescription drugs than they charge consumers in other industrialized nations.
For example, a recent study found that insulin costs in the United States average $1,251 per patient per year. In the United Kingdom, that number is only $532. That’s unacceptable.
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The America First Drug Pricing Plan takes real steps to lower costs for patients and puts the consumer back in charge of their healthcare decisions.
Washington seems to have given up on reforming health care – I don’t accept that. We need to get something done this year to address the soaring costs of prescription drugs and I’m fighting every day to make sure we do.”
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Sen. Rick Scott on FOX Business: The U.S. Must Stand Up for Freedom Watch the interview below or HERE.
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News Service of Florida: Disaster aid plan could help Panhandle
The Daily Wire: Sen. Rick Scott Speaks With The Daily Wire About His Proposed Amendments On ‘Term Limits,’ Tax Hikes, And The ‘Line-Item Veto’
Florida Politics: Rick Scott renews criticism of Prince Charles’ Cuba trip
Radio Marti: Piden a Trump que en su viaje a Londres inste al príncipe Carlos a retirar apoyo a Cuba
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Senator Scott held a roundtable discussion with healthcare leaders and patients in Tampa to discuss his efforts to make healthcare more affordable for families. Senator Scott introduced his America First Drug Pricing Plan to address the soaring costs of prescription drugs and the Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act to end the practice of surprise medical billing.
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Also This Week in Florida...
The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded $4.8 million in grant funding to Santa Fe College in Gainesville to help rebuild and expand its Center for Innovation and Economic Development. This funding will have a real and lasting impact on higher education and will build on our efforts to give every Floridian the opportunity to get a quality education and a great job!
Florida's incredible business climate continues to attract businesses and create opportunities for our families. This week, the City of Lakeland approved plans for a new Amazon cargo facility at Lakeland Linder International Airport - which is great news for the local community!
Congratulations to the 14 outstanding first responders recognized at this year's Tampa Bay "Our Heroes"luncheon! Florida's first responders work incredibly hard every day to keep our families safe - thank you for all that you do.
World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War veterans from Tallahassee participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to visit our nation's war memorials and historical sites and honor their fellow soldiers lost in battle. Thank you all for your service.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. 716 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-5274 | TALLAHASSEE 111 N. Adams St., Suite 208 Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone: (850) 942-8415 Fax: (850) 942-8450 | TAMPA801 North Florida Avenue, Suite 421 Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 225-7040 |
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